14:05 Cheltenham

Wednesday 1 January 2025

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 31.64s

Midnight River^t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 148| CD

14/1

Won this contest (off 3 lb lower) 2 years ago and ended that campaign by taking Grade 3 handicap at the Aintree Grand National meeting. Lightly raced and not been in same form since, though, finishing well beaten in Coral Gold Cup latest.

Form: 01/3F-30

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Colonel Harry^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 146

5/1

Likeable type who took the Grade 2 Towton novice at Wetherby (19.4f) last winter. Sound reappearance run in a Carlisle listed event before pulling too hard up in trip in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Expected to bounce back returned to a more suitable distance here.

Form: 1364-20

Springwell Bay¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 145| BF| CD

11/4

Very useful hurdler who made a winning return/chase debut at Chepstow (19.5f) in October and has run to similar form in a couple of starts here since, latest when good second of 5 in novice chase (20.5f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Goes handicapping now and is one for shortlist..

Form: 42U-132

Marble Sands³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Slatter⁽³⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 144| D

10/1

Useful hurdler who scored twice over fences last season and made a winning return in 4-runner listed race at Carlisle (20f) in November. Posted solid third in Rehearsal Chase (23.4f, good) at Newcastle since but this looks tougher,

Form: 4P16-13

Gemirande¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 144| CD

11/4

Lightly raced and without a win last term but has returned in fine heart this season, following up his decisive winning Ascot return (21f) with victory in valuable handicap over C&D (good to soft) 18 days ago. 8 lb higher now but looks sure to go well again.

Form: 3/550-11

Seddon¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Harvey| T: J C McConnell| OR: 143| CD

14/1

Not scored over fences since landing the Plate at the 2023 Festival but did perform respectably when fifth in Veterans' Chase here last month. However, takes on better opposition now.

Form: 1/238-P5

Lisnamult Lad^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 137| C| D

9/1

Career best when winning 11-runner handicap chase on old course (19.8f, good) for Sean Bowen in October. Got no further than twelfth in Troytown Chase since, however, and wouldn't want too much rain.

Form: 28441F

Lounge Lizard^v¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 135

15/2

Signed off last term with success at Huntingdon in March and shaped better than distance beaten when third of 7 in handicap chase at Carlisle (20.9f, soft, 4/1) on return 17 days ago, doing too much too soon. Not discounted.

Form: 33521-3

Non-Runners

Hitman⁶⁶

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: P F Nicholls J: Harry Cobden

Forecasts

Springwell Bay (11/4), Gemirande (11/4), Colonel Harry (5/1), Lounge Lizard (15/2), Lisnamult Lad (9/1), Marble Sands (10/1), Hitman (12/1), Seddon (14/1), Midnight River (14/1)

SPRINGWELL BAY lost little in defeat when trying to concede weight all round here last month and could have more to offer now switched to handicap company. He gets the nod. Recent C&D winner Gemirande is feared most despite his career-high mark, whilst Colonel Harry also demands plenty of respect now back to a more suitable trip.